Christmas
Beneath the tree
An assortment of gifts
Children awaking
In anticipation
Of Christmas morning
An explosion of giving
That magical day
When all is new
The family gathers
By the tree
As the wrapping is removed
And the presents are revealed
--
Out on the corner, under the tent
The veteran shivers in the cold
A snow overnight coats the fabric
Freezing the opening shut
Due to the ice on the zipper
He was so lucky to have on his home
No warmth, just cold, just another day
In the life of the hero
--
In the warm mansion
The businessman complains
About the need for a holiday
"Why don’t they want to work anymore?
Why do they have to take a day off?
Every year it’s the same
Lost profits, lost business
Keep the line moving
It should never stop
Keep the money coming in…to me."
--
The old man looks at the photo
From last year, the last time
His wife of fifty years called his name
A tear from his eye
Drips down to his cheek
As he remembers last Christmas
That tragic day
When he laid her to rest
In the bed they had shared
All that time
--
Christmas, so many memories
So many stories, so many tales
One day we all share
When I was a child, I saw presents
Trees, lights, and was amazed
But now I see a mixture
Of joy and pain
Of hope and sorrow
So today, I must remember
That not everyone is happy
Not everyone is merry
On this holiest of days
And to remember the reason
We gather together
A sharing of our humanity
Our spirits
Our love
Together
This Christmas.